For examples of RCTs using the post-test only design, see:

Ceber, E. Turk, M. and Ciceklioglu, M. (2010) The effects of an educational program on knowledge of breast cancer, early detection practices and health beliefs of nurses and midwives, Journal of Clinical Nursing 19(15–16): 2363–2371.

Janssen, P.A. and Desmarais, S.L. (2013) Women’s experience with early labour management at home vs. in hospital: A randomised controlled trial, Midwifery 29(3): 190–194.

For examples of RCTs using the pre-test, post-test design, see:

Baxter, P. and Norman, G. (2011) Self-assessment or self-deception? A lack of association between nursing students’ self-assessment and performance, Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(11): 2406–2413.

Turnbull, D. Adelson, P. Oster, C. Coffey, J. Coomblas, J. Bryce, R. and Wilkinson, C. (2013) The impact of outpatient priming for induction of labour on midwives’ work demand, work autonomy and satisfaction, Women and Birth 26(3): 207–212.

For examples of RCTs using the Solomon Four design, see:

Alexandropoulou, M. (2013) Evaluating a Health Educational First Aid Program for Special Education School Personnel: a Cluster Randomised Trial, International Journal of Caring Sciences 6(1): 115–126.

Zang, Y. Zhao, Y. Yang, Q. Pan, Y. and Liu, T. (2011) A randomised trial on pubertal development and health in China, Journal of Clinical Nursing 20(21–22): 3081–3091. 

For examples of an RCT using the within-participants design, see:

Liaw, J-J. Yang, L. Wang, K-W.K. Chen, C-M. Chang, Y-C. and Yin, T. (2012) Non-nutritive sucking and facilitated tucking relieve preterm infant pain during heel-stick procedures: A prospective, randomised controlled crossover trial, International Journal of Nursing Studies 49(3): 300–309.

Snow, A.L Hovanec, L. and Brandt, J. (2004) A controlled trial of aromatherapy for agitation in nursing home patients with dementia, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 107(3): 431–437. 

For examples of RCTs using the matched-pairs design, see:

Goelz, R. Meisner, C. Bevot, A. Hamprecht, K. Kraegeloh-Mann, I. and Poets, C.F. (2013) Long-term cognitive and neurological outcome of preterm infants with postnatally acquired CMV infection through breast milk, Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal and Neonatal Edition 98(5): F430–F433.

Scott, P.A. and Meurer, W.J. (2013) A multilevel intervention to increase community hospital use of alteplase for acute stroke (INSTINCT): a cluster randomised controlled trial, Lancet Neurology 12(2): 139–148.

The following paper provides an overview regarding RCTs including discussion about other designs:

Bench, S. Day, T. and Metcalfe, A. (2013) Randomised controlled trials: an introduction for nurse researchers, Nurse Researcher 20(5): 38–44.

For recent examples of surveys using the cross-sectional design, see:

Gerrish, K. Guillaume, L. Kirshbaum, M. McDonnell, A. Tod, A. and Nolan, M. (2011) Factors influencing the contribution of advanced practice nurses to promoting evidence-based practice among front-line nurses: findings from a cross-sectional survey, Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(5): 1079-1090.

Höglund, B. Lindgren, P. and Larsson, M. (2013) Midwives’ knowledge of, attitudes towards and experiences of caring for women with intellectual disability during pregnancy and childbirth: A cross-sectional study in Sweden, Midwifery 29(8): 950–955.

For papers detailing large-scale cohort studies, see:

Connelly, R. and Platt, L. (2014) Cohort Profile: UK Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), International Journal of Epidemiology 4(6): 1719–1725.

Syddall, H.E. Sayer, A.A. Dennison, E.M. Martin, H.J. Barker, D.J.P. Cooper, C. and the Hertfordshire Cohort Study Group (2005) Cohort Profile: The Hertfordshire Cohort Study, International Journal of Epidemiology 34(6): 1234–1242.

For recent examples of studies using longitudinal design, see:

Jerofke, T. Weiss, M. and Yakusheva, O. (2013) Patient perceptions of patient-empowering nurse behaviours, patient activation and functional health status in postsurgical patients with life-threatening long-term illnesses, Journal of Advanced Nursing 70(6): 1310–1322.

Chang, H-Y. Lai, Y-H. Jensen, M.P. Shun, S-C. Hsiao, F-H. Lee, C-N. and Yang, Y-L. (2013) Factors associated with low back pain changes during the third trimester of pregnancy, Journal of Advanced Nursing 70(5): 1054–1064.

For recent examples of Delphi surveys, see:

Nicholls, L. Skirton, H. and Webb, C. (2011) Establishing perceptions of a good midwife: A Delphi survey, British Journal of Midwifery 19(4): 230–236.

Davis, L. Taylor, H. and Reyes, H. (2014) Lifelong learning in nursing: A Delphi survey, Nurse Education Today 34(3): 441–445. 

For a comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages of using clinical databases as a data source, see:

Loke, Y.K. (2014) Use of databases for clinical research, Archives of Disease in Childhood 99(6): 587–589.

Jasmine and Charles from the class of 2016 are considering possible studies that they could undertake for their research dissertation module.

Jasmine wants to explore the effect of a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce perineal discomfort following episiotomy by comparing this with a conventional treatment. Jasmine has decided to use a between participants post-test only design.

Charles wants to explore the effect of a psychological intervention to enable teenage girls to manage their anorexia by comparing this with a conventional intervention. Charles has decided to use a within-participants design.

What are the strengths and limitations of their chosen designs?

What practical and logistical factors may have influenced their decisions?

Do you agree with their decisions?

Give a rationale for your point of view regarding these proposed studies.